1These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel on this side of the Jordan in the wilderness, … Deuteronomy 1:1 (NKJV)
4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!
5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 6:4-7 (NKJV)
Companions,
The Hebrew title of the book most of us know as Deuteronomy is “Ella Haddebarim” or “These are the words” a translation of the first words of the first verse. Moses had been told by the Lord that he would not live to cross into the promised land and this was the last month of the designated 40 years of wilderness wandering. Many people wonder what their ‘last words’ should be to their family or for their legacy but Moses had a whole nation that had known no other leader than God and Moses. In this passage he gives us a commandment from God and some very essential advice. Jesus in the New Testament called verse five the great and first commandment. All of Moses’ final words were written down and saved so that all we need to do is dust off our Bible, read it, admire the depths of the eternal truths and follow directions.
Eternal God, we thank you for putting your words in our heart and we ask for your graceful help to love you with all our heart, soul and strength. Amen.
Jack A. Holloway
Associate Grand Chaplain